CONCORD, N.C. - Hendrick Motorsports could have its next, young superstar in place.
Corey Day, a 19-year-old dirt racing extraordinaire, signed with NASCAR's winningest organization and will look to take the next step in his career starting in 2025. Day will run events in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, ARCA Series and Trans-Am Series with sponsorship from HendrickCars.com. Dates will be announced in the future.
“When Kyle Larson and Jeff Gordon say someone is the real deal, it certainly gets your attention,” Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, said. “Corey comes from a great racing family and in a short time has shown a level of talent that sets him apart. What he’s already accomplished at this point in his career speaks volumes, and it’s been impressive to see how quickly he’s adapted to pavement. We’re excited to welcome him to our team.”
Day officially put pen to paper on Dec. 6, 2024, just one week clear of his birthday with NASCAR Hall of Famer and Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman, Jeff Gordon on hand. It was a bit of a full-circle moment for Day, who like Gordon, hails from California.
"I can remember multiple times as a little kid, watching NASCAR races and crying because Jeff Gordon didn’t win," Day recalled. "So, to be sitting next to him signing a contract is just unbelievable."
Day brings a laundry list of dirt racing accolades along with him. In 2024 alone, he raced fulltime in the High Limit Series and competed in select World of Outlaws events, collecting 10 wins, 25 top-five finishes and 44 top 10s in 73 starts. That included a victory in the 83rd Turkey Night Grand Prix, the third-oldest automobile race in the United States, becoming its youngest-ever winner.
Even prior to last year, Day had already registered some big victories. After being named the 2022 Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Ronnie Day, to earn the 2023 King of the West 410 NARC championship. That year, he also won the prestigious World of Outlaws Gold Cup Race of Champions.
Now, he'll shift his focus to pavement where he dipped his toes in the water last year, running four races in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and three in the ARCA Series. Day fully expects the move and the busy schedule to come with its own challenges but is confident heading into the year.
"It’s a lot different than what I’m used to doing. There’s just so many differences," Day said. "It’s still a race car of course, and I don’t get into it every time and forget how to drive them, but it’s just way different. Your positioning on the track is different. We turn right going around the corner (on dirt) because we’re sideways. We turn left on pavement. Just a lot of things but it was really good to get laps (in 2024) and at least not be completely fresh next year with such a big year ahead of me.
"It's going to be a lot, of course, and I’m trying to be as mentally prepared for it as possible and with the group of people I have around me to be able to ask questions to, really anything I need I don’t have too many concerns. I know I’m probably going to have a lot of questions. There’s going to be some things come up to where I’m confused, but when you’ve got Jeff Gordon, Kyle Larson, Josh Wise (trainer) ... all these guys I can ask questions to, I think I’m going to be OK."
And as for what series or event Day is most looking forward to?
"All of them are circled. I’m excited about all of them," he said. "I’m excited about the road course stuff, I haven’t gotten to do any of that. And then, excited to run an Xfinity car. To run an Xfinity car this early in my pavement career is something I’m going to try my best at, for sure."